No abstract available.

PURPOSE: The valsalva leak point pressure(VLPP), a quantitative measure of sphincteric function, is used widely to diagnose intrinsic sphincteric deficiency. The purpose of this study was to assess the reproducibility of VLPP and to evaluate the correlation between VLPP and maximum urethral closure pressure(MUCP) in patients with stress urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty consecutive women with urodynamically confirmed genuine stress urinary incontinence underwent duplicate VLPP measurements. Inter-personal reproducibility of VLPP recording was obtained by two urologists in fifteen women. Intra-personal reproducibility of VLPP recording was obtained by one urologist in fifteen women. Each test was performed with two weeks interval, and was blinded to the previous results. Two hundred sixty two women with stress urinary incontinence were evaluated prospectively, comparing MUCP with VLPP to evaluate their correlation. RESULTS: Repeated measurements of VLPP were reproducible. Intra-personal agreement was excellent with a correlation coefficient of 0.95(p=0.0001) between the first and second examination. Inter-personal correlation coefficient was 0.85(p=0.0001). The difference between repeated measurement was not statistically significant. There was a statistically significant relationship between VLPP and MUCP(p=0.0001), however a correlation coefficient of 0.29 demonstrated poor clinical relationship. CONCLUSIONS: The VLPP is a simple and reproducible methods for evaluating urethral resistance in stress urinary incontinence. The MUCP has statistically significant relationship with VLPP, however it is not clinically useful to evaluate urethral sphincter function because women with normal or high MUCP had leakage at low VLPP and vice versa.
Female* ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Urethra ; Urinary Incontinence* ; Urodynamics

OBJECTIVE: To systematic analyze the change of indications, age distribution of the patients and chromosomal results according to patient's age and indications in midtrimester genetic amniocentesis METHODS: This study reviewed 2,000 genetic amniocentesis cases from 1984 to 1997 which were done at Severance Hospital, after prenatal genetic counseling for the mothers who have high risk for carrying chromosomally abnormal babies. We analized the change of the indication, age distribution and chromosomal results according to maternal age and indications of amniocentesis RESULTS: 1. The incidence of amniocentesis had been in gradual increase since the 1980's, and from the mid 1990's it showed an abrupt increment. 2. Of the 2,000 amniocentesis cases, 31.8% was maternal age 35 to 39 which was most common age group and followed by age 30 to 34 was 28.4% and age 25 to 29 was 27.4. 3. The indications for amniocentesis were advanced maternal age(39.6%), abnormal maternal serum markers(27.8%) and abnormal ultrasonographic findings which implies chromosomal abnormality(6.4%). Recently maternal serum markers and ultrasonography play an important role as an indicator for the amniocentesis. 4. From the 2000cases, 1,950 cases showed normal diploidy and 50 cases abnormal karyotype which consisted 2.5%. In autosomal disorders ll Down syndrome, 7 Edward syndrome, 1 Patau syndrome, 15 Translocation, 3 Mosaicism were diagnosed. In sex chromosomal disorders 3 Klinefelter syndmme, 2 Turner syndrome and other 8 chromosomal abnormalities were diagnosed. No statistic significance was found among different age groups. Those who had abnormal ultrasonographic findings implying chromosomal abnormality were found to have correlation with chromosomal abnormality than other indications CONCLUSION: Midtrimester genetic amniocentesis is an important diagnostic tool in prenatal diagnosis, of which the annual incidence has been recently increased abruptly. Not only maternal age, but the maternal serum markers and ultrasonograms should be considered in prenatal counseling, The genetic amniocentesis should be well informed to the general population.
Abnormal Karyotype ; Age Distribution ; Amniocentesis* ; Biomarkers ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Disorders ; Counseling ; Diagnosis* ; Diploidy ; Down Syndrome ; Female ; Genetic Counseling ; Humans ; Incidence ; Maternal Age ; Mosaicism ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Turner Syndrome ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVES: Amniocentesis is the most commonly used invasive method for prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders. But this invasive study may induce preterm labor, endanger both the mother and the fetus, cause infection and abortion. This study was performed to clarify the safety and confidency of amniocentesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 1,500 amniocentesis cases were performed from 1987 to 1996 at Severance hospital for prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders. Of 1,500 cases, 499 cases whose pregnancy outcomes were proven were finally analized. We compared incidence of complications such as spontaneous abortion, vaginal spotting, premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor or chorioamnionitis according to placental location, frequency of needle insertion and amniotic fluid color. RESULTS: 1) Indications for amniocentesis were (1) advanced maternal age - 47.3%, (2) positive maternal serum triple test - 13.8%, (3) fetal chromosomal anomaly suspected in ultrasonography - 10.0%. 2) 6.6% of the amniocentesis samples had color changes due to bleedng or meconium passing. 3) 18.8% of the cases were performed at 16th gestational weeks followed by 20th, 18th and 17th weeks. 4) 2.2% had complications such as spontaneous abortion, vaginal bleeding, premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor and chorioamnionitis in 4 weeks after amniocentesis. 5) No correlation was found between the placental location, frequency of needle insertion(below 3 times) and complication rate. The spontaneous abortion rate in the group with amniotic fluid discolorization was 6.1% whose only 0.4% had spontaneous abortion to the group with clear amniotic fluid. 6) Median value of amniotic fluid alphafetoprotein(alphaFP) of pregnant women in midtrimester were 15,769.4ng/ml at 15 weeks, 13,160.3ng/ml at 16 weeks, 11,539.3ng/ml at 17 weeks, 9,569.8 mg/ml at 18 weeks, 8,423.4mg/ml at 19 weeks, 6,527.1ng/ml at 20 weeks, 5,979.3ng/ml at 21 weeks, 4,363.2ng/ml at 22 weeks, 3,555.2ng/ml at 23weeks, respectively. In midtrimester amniotic fluid alphaFP declined gradually as gestational weeks increase. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal loss rate of midtrimester amniocentesis was 0.8%, proving that it outstanding in the aspects of safty and confidency. Since the fetal loss rate significantly increases in case with amniotic fluid discoloration, it is needless to mention the importance of close follow-up.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Amniocentesis* ; Amniotic Fluid ; Chorioamnionitis ; Female ; Fetus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Maternal Age ; Maternal Serum Screening Tests ; Meconium ; Membranes ; Metrorrhagia ; Mothers ; Needles ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Pregnant Women ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Rupture ; Ultrasonography ; Uterine Hemorrhage

In order to study the implantation mechanism various methods for culture of endometrial cells in vitro have been attempted. However, a disadvantage is that primary cultures of stromal and epithelial cells do not have the ability to differentiate, and therefore cannot be reproduced in the same manner as in vivo endometrium. The object of this study is to establish a three dimensional culture of endometrial cells which are both morphologically and functionally identical to in vivo endometrium. Endometrial tissues obtained after hysterectomies were cut into thin slices and treated with collagenase and trypsin-EDTA. The stromal cells and the epithelial cells were separated by centrifugation and cultured for 24 hours in DMEM media containing 10% FCS, 100 nM progesterone, and 1 nM estradiol. The cultured stromal cells were mixed with collagen gel and solidified, after which it was covered with matrigel. Epithelial cells were inoculated on the top and then cultured for 3 days. The three dimensionally cultured endometrial cells were stained for integrin alphal, alpha4, beta3, and cyclooxygenase-1, -2 by immunohistochemistry, which all showed strong expression. The cultured epithelial cells showed the formation of microvilli, tight junctions and pinopodes by electron microscopy. Studies are currently under way utilizing this three dimensional culture model to ascertain the interaction between the embryo and human endometrial cells at the time of implantation, and it is thought that further studied into a new culture environment which would allow longer periods of culture will be necessary.
Antigens, CD11a ; Centrifugation ; Collagen ; Collagenases ; Cyclooxygenase 1 ; Embryonic Structures ; Endometrium ; Epithelial Cells ; Estradiol ; Female ; Humans* ; Hysterectomy ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microscopy, Electron ; Microvilli ; Progesterone ; Stromal Cells ; Tight Junctions

Cyclooxygenase (COX) is an enzyme involved in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins(PGs), and exists in two forms, COX-1 and COX-2. COX has been reported to be involved in early implantation by secretion of PGs which causes permeability of vessels and reaction of decidual cells around the implantation site. Recently, in mice and sheep studies, COX-1 and COX-2 expression in the endometrium has been reported to be different according to implantation and stages of the estrous cycle, but expression of COX-1 and COX-2 in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle has not yet been established. The purpose of this stuffy was to observe the variances of COX-1 and COX-2 expression by immunohistoehemical staining in endometrial samples obtained from human hysterectomy specimens and biopsies of women of reproductive age according to different stages of the menstrual cycle. Also, we attempted to observe COX-1 and COX-2 expression in the epithelial and stromal cells of the endometrium obtained during the mid-secretory phase, which were cultured separately. COX-2 showed a cyclic pattern of expression according to the different stages of the menstrual cycle and was strongly expressed particularly at the mid-secretory phase which corresponds to the time of implantation. However, COX-1 tended to be increased in the early proliferative, and mid- and late secretory phases, but was also expressed in the whole menstrual cycle showing no particular pattern. In the separately cultured cells COX-1 was expressed in epithilial cells and COX-2 in the stromal cells. The above results suggest that since COX-2 is expressed at the same time as implantation and cultured cells display a specific secretory pattern, COX-2 has inductive endocrine enzyme properties and has an important effect on endometrial cells during implantation. Also, COX-2 expression in endometrial cells may be utilized as a useful marker of endometrial maturation.
Animals ; Arachidonic Acid ; Biopsy ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclooxygenase 1* ; Endometrium* ; Estrous Cycle ; Female ; Humans* ; Hysterectomy ; Menstrual Cycle ; Mice ; Permeability ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Sheep ; Stromal Cells

A 73-year-old male was admitted for unhealed wound. Eight months ago, the patient had been operated for excision of soft tissue mass on left distal thigh area in previous hospital and after 4 months from first operation, had been reoperated because of recurrence. The pathologic diagnosis of previous operation was simple cyst. In operating finding, the mass invaded the vastus lateralis fascia and had irregular margin and adhesion. We carried out simple excision with retaining 5 cm of free margin from the mass. The pathologic diagnosis of our hospital was malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and then the patient was performed radiation therapy. In 1 year follow-up, there was no significant finding either increasing mass size or metastasis. We misdiagnosed as simple cyst and then performed simple excision, however finally pathologic diagnosis confirmed as malignant fibrous histiocytoma. It is considered to operate a mass that preoperative proper evaluation and diagnosis are required.
Fascia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Quadriceps Muscle ; Recurrence ; Thigh

The excitotoxic effect of kainic acid on dendrites and neuronal cell bodies of hippocampus and dentate gyrus was studied with time (1, 4, 8, 16 hours, 2, 7, 14 days) light and electron microscopically by intraperitonial injection into rat. The results obtained were as follows. 1) The acute dendrotoxic effect was observed as laminar pattern of swelling along pyramidal cell body layer and dendritic fields and was most prominently at 2-4 hours after kainic acid injection. In ultractructural study, the acute change occurred in dendrites of pyramidal cells in hipocampus because the synapses between nerve terminals and swollen components were not destroyed and remained intact and, identified the swollen structures as dendrites. So, it was obvious from the results that the acute change by kainic acid was osmolysis and was continued till initial 4 hours but was finally faded out. 2) The distribution of kainic acid receptor within hippocampus was different because the prominent dendritic swelling occurred in proximal basilar dendritic field of CA 3 and 4 and the proximal and distal basilar dendritic fields of CA 1 and 2, and no change was observable in dentate granule cell. The sensitivity of hippocampal dendritic fields to kainic acid could be put in decreasing order as CA3, CA4, CA1, CA2 and dentate granule cell 3) With the elapse of time, the acute change disappeared and pyramidal cells began to degenerate by the chronic reaction about 7 days after kainic acid injury, and the pyramidal cell density in CA regions greatly decreased. Almost all pyramidal cells degenerated the dentate granule cells were not affected to kainic acid throughout the time. In conclusions, hippocampal neurons were postulated to be very sensitive to kainic acid, and in contrast to the gradual disappearance of acute change within several hours, the degeneration of pyramidal neurons by chronic change was developed within several days regardless of acute change.
Animals ; Brain* ; Dendrites ; Dentate Gyrus ; Hippocampus ; Kainic Acid* ; Neurons* ; Pyramidal Cells ; Rats* ; Receptors, Kainic Acid ; Synapses

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative disorder of the primitive hematopoietic stem cells. CML is characterized by the overproduction of myeloid cells, which results in marked splenomegaly and leukocytosis. CML presented by multiple chloromas is extremely rare. Multiple chloromas in the skin and brain are quite rare as the initial presentation of CML. These rare manifestation should alert clinicians to include CML in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with multiple non-pruritic skin nodules or neurologic symptoms. Dasatinib has promising therapeutic potential for managing intracranial leukemic disease. Here, we report the case of a patient who visited the hospital with multiple chloroma which is unusual presentation of CML, and treated with dasatinib successfully.
Brain ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive* ; Leukocytosis ; Myeloid Cells ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Sarcoma, Myeloid* ; Skin ; Splenomegaly ; Dasatinib

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The smoking rates and patterns in the North Korean population are not well known. More than 20,000 North Korean defectors have settled in South Korea; thus, we can estimate the current North Korean smoking situation using this group. METHODS: All North Korean defectors spend their first 3 months in a South Korean facility learning to adapt to their new home. We retrospectively analyzed the results from a questionnaire conducted among North Korean male defectors in this facility from August 2012 to February 2014. RESULTS: Of 272 men, 84.2% were current smokers, 12.5% were ex-smokers, and 3.3% were non-smokers. The mean age of this group was 35.9 ± 11.3 years, and smoking initiation occurred at a mean age of 18.2 ± 4.7 years. Among the subjects, 78.1% had a family member who smoked. Of the 221 current smokers, 67.4% responded that they intended to quit smoking. Fagerström test and Kano test for social nicotine dependence (KTSND) results for current smokers were 3.35 ± 2.26 and 13.76 ± 4.87, respectively. Question 9 on the KTSND (doctors exaggerate the ill effects of smoking) earned a significantly higher score relative to the other questions and a significantly higher score in current smokers compared with non-smokers. CONCLUSIONS: The smoking rate in North Korean male defectors was higher than that indicated previously. However, interest in smoking cessation was high and nicotine dependence was less severe than expected. Further investigation is needed to identify an efficient method for North Korean smokers to stop smoking.
Humans ; Korea ; Learning ; Male* ; Methods ; Nicotine* ; Retrospective Studies ; Smoke* ; Smoking Cessation ; Smoking* ; Tobacco Use Disorder*